Hiroyuki Sugiyama of Wagaya referred to prosecutors for shoplifting

Hiroyuki Sugiyama, a member of the comedy trio Wagaya, has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of shoplifting. The incident occurred on September 15 at a supermarket in Meguro, Tokyo, where Sugiyama allegedly took seven food items, including sausages, valued at approximately 1,189 yen, without scanning them at a self-checkout machine.

During police questioning, Sugiyama admitted to the allegations, stating that he felt anxious due to a recent decrease in income and wanted to save money. Following the report, his talent agency, Watanabe Entertainment, issued an apology to the affected store, fans, and stakeholders. The agency announced that Sugiyama will be suspended from all activities for the time being, pending further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.

Sugiyama had recently returned to work after being hospitalized in July for a medical condition. The news has drawn reactions from fellow entertainers, including Hiroyuki Tsuchida, who condemned the act as “out of the question,” despite some social media users noting Tsuchida’s own past as a former delinquent.